Concerned by Smith's illness and abscence from London. [Lewis Weston] Dillwyn [(1778-1855)] apologised for detaining his 'Conferva' drawings. Sir Joseph Banks well and last October increased dose of his gout medicine from 12 to 15 drops daily; it is not proven if it has undermined his constitution. Banks has entire management of the Royal Mint and "pays great attention to it"; Marchant has executed dies for a new 3s & 1/6 pieces; has recommended a coinage of good sixpences to Banks. Drury Lane Theatre proceeding "magically, & will certainly be open early in Oct[obe]r next"; only regret is that the avenues around it "will remain blocked up precisely as they are now".

Arrived at Rose Castle, [Cumberland], after 5 days "tedious" travel on account of invalids. Has long been wanting to write to Smith about the "variety of portentous matters which have lately engaged all men's minds". His extreme busyness.

Requests Smith send to Wisbech, [Cambridgeshire], the books and drawings left in his custody. Visit Lincolnshire, will return to Wisbech via London.

Reports general concern at Smith's illness at the Linnean dinner. Thanks for seeds, fears he will fail to raise them with his present gardener, asks if Smith knows anyone who will successfully cultivate them. Political news: government still without a complete administration, seems likely it will consist of the old ministers but with some new and able men.

Has sent parcels for Smith and Sir Joseph Banks with Professor [Jöns Jacob] Berzelius, [(1779-1848)], chemist, who is coming to England. Smith's parcel contains: third volume of "Flora Ind. occidentalis"; "transactions" of the Royal Academy of Sciences from 1809 to 1811; his "Synopsis filicum" for either [William Jackson] Hooker or Smith; and six volumes of "Swedish Botany", a gift of the Academy to the Linnean Society. Hopes Hooker received the letter he sent before he left Europe [abandoned plans for travelling to Ceylon with Sir Robert Brownrigg]. Curious to know how far [Robert] Brown's "Prodromus florae Novae Hollandiae" has advanced, hopes to establish an exchange with him. Swedish Academy of Sciences, of which he is now the secretary, is keen to have full set of "Linnean Transactions" and the second part of Brown's "Flora". [Erik] Acharius has published his "Lichenographia universalis" and has still not received any thanks for the collection he sent to the Linnean Society.

[Georg] Wahlenberg's recently published "Flora Lapponica" has doubled the number of plants described in Linnaeus' "Flora Lapponica", it includes 30 plates and a large botanico-geographical map. [Alexander von] Humboldt, von Bruhl and W have proceeded on similar principals and plans for their own works. Asks after progress of "Flora Graeca", "English Botany", and [Dawson] Turner's "Historia fucorum".

"Indefatigable" [George] Don sends Smith "packet after packet of rich stores". Don wants his [Goodenough] opinion on his new 'Avena pubescens' but will submit to Smith instead. All is quiet in this neighbourhood now; the "riots & murders in this part of the world originated in those shameful Parliamentary speeches we have heard of late, and in the intemperate conduct of our Magistrates".

Separate note on identifying features of enclosed specimens.

Three specimens of 'Avena'.

Numbered observations on enclosed specimens: a 'Draba' found on Ben Lawer; 2. a very rare 'Saxifraga'; 3. an 'Arundo'; 4. nondescript 'Meum', proposes name 'M. acherealeucum'; 5. a 'Caltha', proposes name 'C. ficarioides'.

Numbered observations on enclosed plants: he has been collecting the indigenous 'Avena' for last 3 years and recently found another addition to the flora along with 'A. planiculmis', describes it and proposes name 'A. poafolia', 'A. pilosa', or 'A. alpina'; 2. a 'Festuca', appears new; 3. another nondescript 'Festuca' resembling 'F. duriuscula', proposes name 'F. repans'; nondescript 'Lamium', proposes name 'L. intermedium'; two 'Hieracium', like 'H. alpinum' but never produce more than one flower.

'Festuca'; another 'Festuca'; a non descript 'Lamium'; two 'Hieraciums'.